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{{short description|German soccer coach (born 1958)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ernst Middendorp
| image = Ernst Middendorp 20180316.jpg
| caption = Middendorp as [[Bangkok United]] technical director in 2018
| full_name = Ernst Johannes Middendorp
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|10|28|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Freren]], Germany
| height = 
| currentclub = 
| years1 = 1977–1981
| clubs1 = SG Freren
| caps1 = 85
| goals1 = 72
| years2 = 1981–1982
| clubs2 = TuS Lingen
| caps2 = 17
| goals2 = 9
| years3 = 1982–1985
| clubs3 = [[VfB Rheine]]
| caps3 = 91
| goals3 = 83
| years4 = 1985–1987
| clubs4 = VfB Alstätte
| caps4 = 42
| goals4 = 37
| totalcaps = 235
| totalgoals = 198
| nationalyears1 = 
| nationalteam1 = 
| nationalcaps1 = 
| nationalgoals1 = 
| manageryears1 = 1987–1988
| managerclubs1 = [[Eintracht Nordhorn]]
| manageryears2 = 1988–1990
| managerclubs2 = [[Arminia Bielefeld]]
| manageryears3 = 1990–1992
| managerclubs3 = [[VfB Rheine]]
| manageryears4 = 1992–1994
| managerclubs4 = [[FC Gütersloh 2000|FC Gütersloh]]
| manageryears5 = 1994–1998
| managerclubs5 = [[Arminia Bielefeld]]
| manageryears6 = 1999
| managerclubs6 = [[KFC Uerdingen 05|KFC Uerdingen]]
| manageryears7 = 1999
| managerclubs7 = [[VfL Bochum]]
| manageryears8 = 1999–2002
| managerclubs8 = [[Asante Kotoko]]
| manageryears9 = 2002–2003
| managerclubs9 = [[FC Augsburg]]
| manageryears10 = 2004
| managerclubs10 = [[Hearts of Oak SC]]
| manageryears11 = 2004–2005
| managerclubs11 = [[Tractor Sazi F.C.|Tractor Sazi]]
| manageryears12 = 2005–2007
| managerclubs12 = [[Kaizer Chiefs F.C.|Kaizer Chiefs]]
| manageryears13 = 2007
| managerclubs13 = [[Arminia Bielefeld]]
| manageryears14 = 2008–2009
| managerclubs14 = [[Changchun Yatai]]
| manageryears15 = 2009
| managerclubs15 = [[Rot-Weiss Essen]]
| manageryears16 = 2009
| managerclubs16 = [[Anorthosis Famagusta FC|Anorthosis Famagusta]]
| manageryears17 = 2009–2011
| managerclubs17 = [[Maritzburg United F.C.|Maritzburg United]]
| manageryears18 = 2011
| managerclubs18 = [[Golden Arrows]]
| manageryears19 = 2012–2013
| managerclubs19 = [[Maritzburg United F.C.|Maritzburg United]]
| manageryears20 = 2013–2014
| managerclubs20 = [[Bloemfontein Celtic F.C.|Bloemfontein Celtic]]
| manageryears21 = 2015–2016
| managerclubs21 = [[Chippa United F.C.|Chippa United]]
| manageryears22 = 2017–2018
| managerclubs22 = [[Bangkok United]] (technical director)
| manageryears23 = 2018–2020
| managerclubs23 = [[Kaizer Chiefs F.C.|Kaizer Chiefs]]
| manageryears24 = 2020
| managerclubs24 = [[Saint George S.C.|Saint George]]
| manageryears25 = 2020–2022
| managerclubs25 = [[Maritzburg United F.C.|Maritzburg United]]
| manageryears26 = 2023
| managerclubs26 = [[Swallows F.C.|Swallows FC]]
| manageryears27 = 2023
| managerclubs27 = [[SV Meppen]]
| manageryears28 = 2023
| managerclubs28 = [[Singida Fountain Gate F.C.|Singida Fountain Gate]]
| manageryears29 = 2023–
| managerclubs29 = [[Cape Town Spurs F.C.|Cape Town Spurs]]
}}
'''Ernst Middendorp''' (born 28 October 1958) is a German [[association football|football]] coach who coaches [[Cape Town Spurs F.C.|Cape Town Spurs]]. Apart from coaching in Germany, Middendorp has coached football clubs in Ghana, South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, China, Iran and Cyprus. He has also become the technical director for Thailand club Bangkok United in 2017.

==Education==
Middendorp was born in [[Freren]]. Prior to coaching he was a lecturer of economics, political science and informatics at vocational colleges . In 1996, he attained his UEFA Pro License (Fußball-Lehrer) from the Deutsche Sporthochschule in Köln, Germany. In 2000, he began studying communication and management at PR Kolleg Berlin, Germany, where he studied through 2002.

==Managerial career==
Middendorp has coached professional football on the highest level for nearly 20 years in Europe, Asia and Africa, having a UEFA Pro License (Fussball-Lehrer) from the German Football Association. In addition, Middendorp has experience analyzing FIFA World Cup tournaments (2006 and 2010), as well as the [[UEFA Euro 2012]] tournament.

Middendorp started his coaching career with VfB Alstätte where he coached from July 1985 to June 1987.<ref name="Ernst Middendorp – World Football">{{cite web |title=Ernst Middendorp |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/ernst-middendorp/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref> He then moved on to [[Eintracht Nordhorn]]<ref name="Ernst Middendorp – World Football"/> where he was head coach from 1 July 1987 to 18 April 1988.<ref name="Eintracht Nordhorn Coaching history">{{cite web |title=Eintracht Nordhorn » Manager history |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/eintracht-nordhorn/9/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref>

=== Arminia Bielefeld ===
Middendorp's first stint as [[Arminia Bielefeld]] head coach was from 18 April 1988 to 8 October 1990.<ref name="Arminia Bielefeld — Trainers">{{cite web |title=Arminia Bielefeld — Trainer |url=https://www.kicker.de/arminia-bielefeld/team-trainer/bundesliga/2020-21 |website=[[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]] |publisher=Olympia Verlag |access-date=18 February 2021 |language=German}}</ref> His first match was a 2–1 loss to [[SG Wattenscheid 09]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Arminia Bielefeld Spielplan |url=https://www.kicker.de/arminia-bielefeld/spielplan/2-bundesliga/1987-88 |website=[[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]] |publisher=Olympia Verlag |access-date=18 February 2021 |language=German}}</ref> He finished the [[1987–88 2. Bundesliga|1987–88 2. Bundesliga season]] with two wins, one draw, and seven losses.<ref name="Arminia Bielefeld — Trainers" /> Arminia Bielefeld finished in last place and were relegated.<ref>{{cite web |title=2. Bundesliga Tabelle |url=https://www.kicker.de/2-bundesliga/tabelle/1987-88/38 |website=[[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]] |publisher=Olympia Verlag |access-date=18 February 2021 |language=German}}</ref>

=== VfB Rheine ===
Middendorp went on to become head coach of [[VfB Rheine]] from November 1990 to June 1992.<ref name="Ernst Middendorp – World Football" /> After VfB Rheine, Middendorp was head coach of [[FC Gütersloh]] between 1 July 1992 and 30 June 1994.<ref name="FC Gütersloh coaching history">{{cite web |title=FC Gütersloh » Manager history |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/fc-guetersloh/9/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref> He finished 13th in the 1992–93 season<ref name="1992–93 league table">{{cite web |title=Germany » Oberliga Westfalen (1992-2008) 1992/1993 » 34. Round |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/oberliga-westfalen-1992-1993-spieltag/34/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref> and ninth in the 1993–94 season.<ref name="1993–94 league table">{{cite web |title=Germany » Oberliga Westfalen (1992-2008) 1993/1994 » 30. Round |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/oberliga-westfalen-1993-1994-spieltag/30/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref>

=== second stint at Arminia Bielefeld ===
Middendorp took over as head coach of Arminia Bielefeld for a second time on 25 August 1994.<ref name="Arminia Bielefeld — Trainers" /> He finished with a record of 40 wins, 26 draws, and 47 losses in his second stint.<ref name="Arminia Bielefeld — Trainers" /> During his tenure, the club was promoted to the Bundesliga in 1996. In 2005, when Arminia Bielefeld was celebrating its 100th anniversary, Middendorp was elected their "Coach of the Century".

=== KFC Uerdingen ===
Middendorp was head coach of [[KFC Uerdingen 05|KFC Uerdingen]] from 25 March 1999 to 30 June 1999.<ref name="Uerdingen coaching history">{{cite web |title=KFC Uerdingen 05 » Manager history |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/kfc-uerdingen-05/9/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref> He had five, two draws, and two losses in nine matches during his time at Uerdingen.<ref name="1998–99 season">{{cite web |title=KFC Uerdingen 05 Spielplan |url=https://www.kicker.de/kfc-uerdingen-05/spielplan/2-bundesliga/1998-99 |website=[[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]] |publisher=Olympia Verlag |access-date=18 February 2021 |language=German}}</ref>

=== VfL Bochum ===
Middendorp was head coach of [[VfL Bochum]] between 1 July 1999 and 25 October 1999.<ref name="VfL Bochum — Trainer">{{cite web |title=VfL Bochum — Trainer |url=https://www.kicker.de/vfl-bochum/team-trainer/2-bundesliga/2020-21 |website=[[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]] |publisher=Olympia Verlag |access-date=18 February 2021 |language=German}}</ref> During his time at Bochum, he had a record of three wins, three draws, and five losses.<ref name="VfL Bochum — Trainer" />

=== Asante Kotoko ===
Middendorp then went to [[Ghana]] to become the head coach of [[Asante Kotoko S.C.|Asante Kotoko]] between January 2000 and June 2002.<ref name="Ernst Middendorp – World Football" /> 

=== FC Augsburg ===
Middendorp returned to Germany to become head coach of [[FC Augsburg]] on 1 July 2002.<ref name="FC Augsburg — Trainer">{{cite web |title=FC Augsburg — Trainer |url=https://www.kicker.de/fc-augsburg/team-trainer/bundesliga/2020-21 |website=[[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]] |publisher=Olympia Verlag |access-date=18 February 2021 |language=German}}</ref> He was at Augsburg until 28 September 2003.<ref name="FC Augsburg — Trainer" /> He had a record of 21 wins, eight draws, and 16 losses.<ref name="FC Augsburg — Trainer" /> 

=== Hearts of Oak ===
Middendorp then returned to Ghana to become head coach of [[Accra Hearts of Oak S.C.|Hearts of Oak]] between March 2004 and June 2004.<ref name="Ernst Middendorp – World Football" /> 

=== Tractor Sazi ===
Middendorp then went to [[Iran]] to become head coach of [[Tractor Sazi]] between July 2004 and June 2005.<ref name="Ernst Middendorp – World Football" />

=== Kaizer Chiefs ===
Middendorp returned to [[Africa]] to become head coach the [[South Africa]]n [[Castle Premiership]] team [[Kaizer Chiefs F.C.|Kaizer Chiefs]] from the beginning of the 2005–06 season up to 4 March 2007.<ref name="Kaizer Chiefs coaching history">{{cite web |title=Kaizer Chiefs » Manager history |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/kaizer-chiefs/9/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref> His first match was a 1–0 win against [[Bush Bucks F.C.]]<ref name="2005–06 season">{{cite web |title=Kaizer Chiefs » Fixtures & Results 2005/2006 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/kaizer-chiefs/2006/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref> At the start of the 2006–07 season, Middendorp guided his team to the [[SAA Supa 8]] trophy. The Kaizer Chiefs defeated [[Supersport United]] in the final. Middendorp's departure happened on 4 March 2007.<ref name="Kaizer Chiefs coaching history" /> His final match was a 2–1 loss to [[AmaZulu F.C.|AmaZulu]].<ref name="2006–07 season">{{cite web |title=Kaizer Chiefs » Fixtures & Results 2006/2007 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/kaizer-chiefs/2007/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref>

=== Third stint at Arminia Bielefeld ===
On 14 March 2007, Middendorp started his third stint as a coach at Arminia Bielefeld,<ref name="Arminia Bielefeld — Trainers" /> but was fired by club management on 10 December 2007.<ref name="Arminia Bielefeld — Trainers" /> 

=== Changchun Yatai ===
From there Middendorp went to coach the Chinese club, [[Changchun Yatai]], but left the club in December 2008<ref name="Changchun coaching history">{{cite web |title=Changchun Yatai » Manager history |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/changchun-yatai/9/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref> 

=== Rot Weiss Essen ===
Middendorp returned to Germany, where he signed a contract with [[Rot Weiss Essen]] On 6 April 2009,<ref name="Middendorp wird neuer RWE-Trainer">{{cite news |title=Middendorp wird neuer RWE-Trainer |url=https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/wird-neuer-trainer-von-rw-essen-7919022.bild.html |access-date=18 February 2021 |publisher=Bild |date=6 April 2009 |language=German}}</ref> he left the team after just 29 days.<ref name="29 Tage mit Ernst Middendorp">{{cite news |title=29 Tage mit Ernst Middendorp |url=https://www.kicker.de/29-tage-mit-ernst-middendorp-508309/artikel |access-date=18 February 2021 |work=[[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]] |publisher=Olympia Verlag |date=6 May 2009 |language=German}}</ref> He had won only one match during his 29 days.<ref name="Rot-Weiss Essen Spielplan">{{cite web |title=Rot-Weiss Essen Spielplan |url=https://www.kicker.de/rot-weiss-essen/spielplan/regionalliga-west-2008-2012/2008-09 |website=[[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]] |publisher=Olympia Verlag |access-date=19 February 2021 |language=German}}</ref> 

=== Anorthosis Famagusta ===
On 7 May 2009, Middendorp joined Cypriot club, [[Anorthosis Famagusta FC|Anorthosis Famagusta]],<ref name="Anorthosis announce Middendorp arrival">{{cite news |title=Anorthosis announce Middendorp arrival |url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/member-associations/CYP/news/01d9-0f85bb2ba67d-177bba5836e3-1000--anorthosis-announce-middendorp-arrival/ |access-date=18 February 2021 |publisher=[[UEFA]] |date=7 May 2009}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> but was fired on 24 July 2009<ref name="Anorthosis Famagusta coaching history">{{cite web |title=Anorthosis Famagusta FC » Manager history |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/anorthosis-famagusta-fc/9/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref> following their elimination in the second round of the [[2009–10 UEFA Europa League]].<ref name="2009–10 Anorthosis Famagusta FC Fixtures & Results">{{cite web |title=Anorthosis Famagusta FC » Fixtures & Results 2009/2010 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/anorthosis-famagusta-fc/2010/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> 

=== Maritzburg United ===
On 16 November 2009, Middendorp replaced [[Gordon Igesund]] as head coach of South African club [[Maritzburg United F.C.|Maritzburg United]],<ref name="Team of Choice unveil Middendorp as New Head Coach">{{cite news |title=Team of Choice unveil Middendorp as New Head Coach |url=http://www.maritzburgunited.co.za/09_10/articles/091116_Middendorp.htm |access-date=19 February 2021 |publisher=Maritzburg United |date=16 November 2009 |archive-date=26 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026194511/http://www.maritzburgunited.co.za/09_10/articles/091116_Middendorp.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> and coach them until 12 March 2011.<ref name="Maritzburg United coaching history">{{cite web |title=Maritzburg United » Manager history |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/maritzburg-united/9/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=19 February 2021 |language=German}}</ref> He won five out of the final 15 league matches.<ref name="2009–10 Maritzburg United season">{{cite web |title=Maritzburg United » Fixtures & Results 2009/2010 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/maritzburg-united/2010/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> His final match was a 2–2 draw against [[Vasco da Gama (South Africa)|Vasco da Gama]] on 5 March 2011.<ref name="2010–11 season">{{cite web |title=Maritzburg United » Fixtures & Results 2010/2011 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/maritzburg-united/2011/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref>

=== Golden Arrows ===
Middendorp was head coach of [[Golden Arrows]] between 21 March 2011 and 30 September 2011.<ref name="Golden Arrows coaching history">{{cite web |title=Golden Arrows » Manager history |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/golden-arrows/9/ |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> Golden Arrows won two out of five matches to finish the 2010–11 season.<ref name="Golden Arrows 2010–11 Results">{{cite web |title=Golden Arrows » Fixtures & Results 2010/2011 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/golden-arrows/2011/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> His final match was a 2–1 win against Kaizer Chiefs.<ref name="Golden Arrows 2011–12 Results">{{cite web |title=Golden Arrows » Fixtures & Results 2011/2012 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/golden-arrows/2012/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> 


On 18 January 2012, Middendorp returned to Maritzburg United.<ref name="Middendorp back at Maritzburg">{{cite news |title=Middendorp back at Maritzburg |url=https://www.news24.com/Sport/Middendorp-back-at-Maritzburg-20120118 |access-date=19 February 2021 |publisher=Sport24 |date=18 January 2012}}</ref> He resigned as head coach of Maritzburg United on 10 October 2013<ref name="Maritzburg United coaching history" /> before joining [[Bloemfontein Celtic F.C.|Bloemfontein Celtic]] as head coach on 11 October 2013.<ref name="Bloemfontein Celtic job">{{cite web|title=Middendorp joins Celtic|date=11 October 2013|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/38038/middendorp-joins-bloemfontein-celtic|publisher=KickOff|access-date=11 October 2013}}</ref> Celtic finished off the 2013–14 season with nine wins in 24 league matches.<ref name="Bloemfontein Celtic 2013–14 Results">{{cite web |title=Bloemfontein Celtic » Fixtures & Results 2013/2014 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/bloemfontein-celtic/2014/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> He left the club on 14 December 2014.<ref name="Bloemfontein Celtic coaching history">{{cite web |title=Bloemfontein Celtic » Manager history |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/bloemfontein-celtic/9/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> His final match was a 0–0 draw against [[Moroka Swallows F.C.|Moroka Swallows]] on the same day.<ref name="Bloemfontein Celtic 2014–15 Results">{{cite web |title=Bloemfontein Celtic » Fixtures & Results 2014/2015 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/bloemfontein-celtic/2015/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> He coached the Eastern Province SA Premier League team [[Chippa United F.C.|Chippa United]] from 5 January to 30 March 2015.<ref name="Chippa United coaching history">{{cite web |title=Chippa United » Manager history |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/chippa-united/9/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> Middendorp didn't win any matches at Chippa United.<ref name="Chippa United 2014–15 Results">{{cite web |title=Chippa United » Fixtures & Results 2014/2015 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/chippa-united/2015/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref>

In the 2015–16 season Ernst led not one but two South African Premier League teams from the relegation position to safety. He took [[Free State Stars F.C.|Free State Stars]] from position 16 at the bottom of the league on matchday three<ref>{{cite web |title=South Africa » Premier Soccer League 2015/2016 » 3. Round |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/rsa-premier-soccer-league-2015-2016-spieltag/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> to position six within four months,<ref name="Matchday 12 table">{{cite web |title=South Africa » Premier Soccer League 2015/2016 » 12. Round |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/rsa-premier-soccer-league-2015-2016-spieltag/12/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> averaging two points a game. On 28 December 2015, Ernst returned to Maritzburg United<ref name="Maritzburg United coaching history"/> (a club he coached twice before)<ref name="Maritzburg United coaching history"/> who were then in position 16<ref name="Matchday 12 table"/> and facing the stark danger of relegating. Ernst and his team narrowed the gap until the final nail-biting game of the season when Maritzburg United moved to the safety of position 14.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ernstmiddendorp.com/coaching.html|title=Coaching|website=Ernst Middendorp {{!}} Official Site|access-date=26 December 2016}}</ref>

Middendorp returned to Kaizer Chiefs on 7 December 2018.<ref name="Kaizer Chiefs coaching history"/> His first match was a 1–0 win against [[SuperSport United F.C.|SuperSport United]] on 12 December 2018.<ref name="Kaizer Chiefs 2018–19 Results">{{cite web |title=Kaizer Chiefs » Fixtures & Results 2018/2019 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/kaizer-chiefs/2019/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref> Kaizer Chiefs finished the 2018–19 season in ninth place.<ref>{{cite web |title=South Africa » Premier Soccer League 2018/2019 » 10. Round |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/rsa-premier-division-2018-2019-spieltag/10/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref> Kaizer Chiefs finished the following season in 2nd place and qualified for the [[2020–21 CAF Champions League]].<ref name="2019–20 league table">{{cite web |title=South Africa » Premier Soccer League 2019/2020 » 10. Round |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/rsa-premier-soccer-league-2019-2020-spieltag/10/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref> Then he coached [[Saint George S.C.|Saint George]] between 23 October 2020 and 24 November 2020.<ref name="St. George SC coach history">{{cite web |title=St. George SC » Manager history |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/st-george-sc/9/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref>

Middendorp returned to Maritzburg United on 26 November 2020.<ref name="Maritzburg United coaching history"/> his first match was a 2–1 loss to SuperSport United on 27 November 2020.<ref name="2020–21 season">{{cite web |title=Maritzburg United » Fixtures & Results 2020/2021 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/maritzburg-united/2021/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref>

He has been the mentor of [[Fadlu Davids]], who spent much of his time learning the coaching trade as assistant coach to Middendorp: at Maritzburg, Bloemfontein Celtic and Chippa United.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/59070/fadlu-davids-on-maritzburg-bench-opposite-mentor-ernst-middendorp|title=Fadlu Davids on Maritzburg bench opposite mentor Ernst Middendorp|last=www.realnet.co.uk|newspaper=Kick Off|access-date=26 December 2016}}</ref>

In March 2023, Middendorp returned to Germany to manage [[SV Meppen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/ernst-middendorp-trainiert-den-sv-meppen-249086/|title=Ernst Middendorp trainiert den SV Meppen|website=dfb.de|date=7 March 2023|access-date=7 March 2023|language=de}}</ref> On 16 August 2023, he resigned from this position after being relegated to the [[Regionalliga Nord]] and suffering two defeats in the first three games of the [[2023–24 Regionalliga#Regionalliga Nord|2023–24 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kicker.de/albern-amateurhaft-middendorp-tritt-in-meppen-zurueck-963904/artikel|title="Albern, amateurhaft": Middendorp tritt in Meppen zurück|website=[[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]]|date=16 August 2023|language=de}}</ref> 

In September 2023, Middendorp was appointed as the head coach of Tanzanian [[Singida Fountain Gate F.C.|Singida Fountain Gate]] replacing [[Hans van der Pluijm]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ambitious Singida Fountain Gate bolster technical team ahead of continental quest |url=https://www.cafonline.com/caf-confederation-cup/news/ambitious-singida-fountain-gate-bolster-technical-team-ahead-of-continental-quest/  |date=4 September 2023 |access-date=13 September 2023 |website=CAF}}</ref> He resigned after just two weeks and one game, a 1–0 win over [[Future FC|Future]] in the [[2023–24 CAF Confederation Cup qualifying rounds]], due to disputes with the club management.<ref name=Singida>{{Cite web|url=https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/african-football/breaking-middendorp-resigns-after-two-weeks/|title=Breaking: Middendorp Resigns After Just Two Weeks|website=iDiski Times|date=19 September 2023}}</ref>

He was appointed manager of South African premiership club [[Cape Town Spurs F.C.|Cape Town Spurs]] in November 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Felem |first=Ayanda Frances |date=2023-11-17 |title=Ernst Middendorp named new Spurs head coach |url=https://www.theathlete.co.za/2023/11/17/ernst-middendorp-named-new-spurs-head-coach/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=The Athlete |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Coaching record==
{{updated|2 June 2024}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team!!rowspan="2"|From!!rowspan="2"|To!!colspan="5"|Record!!rowspan="2"|{{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}!!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}!!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}!!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}!!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}
|-
|VfB Alstätte||1 July 1985||30 June 1987
|colspan="5"|—
|<ref name="Ernst Middendorp – World Football"/>
|-
|[[Eintracht Nordhorn]]||1 July 1987||18 April 1988
|colspan="5"|—
|<ref name="Eintracht Nordhorn Coaching history"/>
|-
|[[Arminia Bielefeld]]||18 April 1988||8 October 1990
{{WDL|102|57|24|21}}
|<ref name="Arminia Bielefeld — Trainers"/>
|-
|[[VfB Rheine]]||1 November 1990||30 June 1992
{{WDL|48|15|20|13}}
|<ref name="Ernst Middendorp – World Football"/>
|-
|[[FC Gütersloh]]||1 July 1992||30 June 1994
{{WDL|64|20|17|27}}
|<ref name="FC Gütersloh coaching history"/><ref name="1992–93 league table"/><ref name="1993–94 league table"/>
|-
|Arminia Bielefeld||25 August 1994||16 August 1998
{{WDL|143|59|33|51}}
|<ref name="Arminia Bielefeld — Trainers"/>
|-
|[[KFC Uerdingen 05]]||25 March 1999||30 June 1999
{{WDL|11|3|3|5}}
|<ref name="Uerdingen coaching history"/><ref name="1998–99 season"/>
|-
|[[VfL Bochum]]||1 July 1999||25 October 1999
{{WDL|11|3|3|5}}
|<ref name="VfL Bochum — Trainer"/>
|-
|[[Asante Kotoko S.C.|Asante Kotoko]]||1 January 2000||30 June 2002
|colspan="5"|—
|<ref name="Ernst Middendorp – World Football"/>
|-
|[[FC Augsburg]]||1 July 2002||28 September 2003
{{WDL|45|21|8|16}}
|<ref name="FC Augsburg — Trainer"/>
|-
|[[Accra Hearts of Oak S.C.|Hearts of Oak]]||10 March 2004||30 June 2004
|colspan="5"|—
|<ref name="Ernst Middendorp – World Football"/>
|-
|[[Tractor Sazi]]||12 July 2004||30 June 2005
|colspan="5"|—
|<ref name="Ernst Middendorp – World Football"/>
|-
|[[Kaizer Chiefs F.C.|Kaizer Chiefs]]||1 July 2005||4 March 2007
{{WDL|53|21|21|11}}<!-- League only -->
|<ref name="Kaizer Chiefs coaching history"/><ref name="2005–06 season"/><ref name="2006–07 season"/>
|-
|Arminia Bielefeld||14 March 2007||10 December 2007
{{WDL|27|11|4|12}}
|<ref name="Arminia Bielefeld — Trainers"/>
|-
|[[Changchun Yatai F.C.|Changchun Yatai]]||27 July 2008||31 December 2008
{{WDL|18|7|6|5}}
|<ref name="Changchun coaching history"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Changchun Yatai » Fixtures & Results 2008/2009 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/changchun-yatai/2009/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Rot-Weiss Essen]]||6 April 2009||6 May 2009
{{WDL|6|2|0|4}}
|<ref name="Middendorp wird neuer RWE-Trainer"/><ref name="29 Tage mit Ernst Middendorp"/><ref name="Rot-Weiss Essen Spielplan"/>
|-
|[[Anorthosis Famagusta FC|Anorthosis Famagusta]]||7 May 2009||24 July 2009
{{WDL|4|3|0|1}}
|<ref name="Anorthosis announce Middendorp arrival"/><ref name="Anorthosis Famagusta coaching history"/><ref name="2009–10 Anorthosis Famagusta FC Fixtures & Results"/>
|-
|[[Maritzburg United F.C.|Maritzburg United]]||16 November 2009||12 March 2011
{{WDL|40|12|11|17}}
|<ref name="Team of Choice unveil Middendorp as New Head Coach"/><ref name="Maritzburg United coaching history"/><ref name="2009–10 Maritzburg United season"/><ref name="2010–11 season"/>
|-
|[[Lamontville Golden Arrows F.C.|Golden Arrows]]||21 March 2011||30 September 2011
{{WDL|12|5|4|3}}
|<ref name="Golden Arrows coaching history"/><ref name="Golden Arrows 2010–11 Results"/><ref name="Golden Arrows 2011–12 Results"/>
|-
|Maritzburg United||18 January 2012||10 October 2013
{{WDL|54|15|20|19}}
|<ref name="Middendorp back at Maritzburg"/><ref name="Maritzburg United coaching history"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Maritzburg United » Fixtures & Results 2011/2012 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/maritzburg-united/2012/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=South Africa » Premier Soccer League 2012/2013 » 30. Round |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/rsa-premier-soccer-league-2012-2013-spieltag/30/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Maritzburg United » Fixtures & Results 2013/2014 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/maritzburg-united/2014/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Bloemfontein Celtic F.C.|Bloemfontein Celtic]]||11 October 2013||14 December 2014
{{WDL|41|13|15|13}}
|<ref name="Bloemfontein Celtic job"/><ref name="Bloemfontein Celtic 2013–14 Results"/><ref name="Bloemfontein Celtic coaching history"/><ref name="Bloemfontein Celtic 2014–15 Results"/>
|-
|[[Chippa United F.C.|Chippa United]]||5 January 2015||30 March 2015
{{WDL|7|0|3|4}}
|<ref name="Chippa United coaching history"/><ref name="Chippa United 2014–15 Results"/>
|-
|[[Free State Stars F.C.|Free State Stars]]||29 August 2015||21 December 2015
{{WDL|10|5|3|2}}
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Free State Stars » Manager history |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/free-state-stars/9/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref>
|-
|Maritzburg United||28 December 2015||24 November 2016
{{WDL|31|8|10|13}}
|<ref name="Maritzburg United coaching history"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Maritzburg United » Fixtures & Results 2015/2016 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/maritzburg-united/2016/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Maritzburg United » Fixtures & Results 2016/2017 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/maritzburg-united/2017/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref>
|-
|Kaizer Chiefs||7 December 2018||9 September 2020
{{WDL|60|31|12|17}}
|<ref name="Kaizer Chiefs coaching history"/><ref name="Kaizer Chiefs 2018–19 Results"/><ref name="2019–20 league table"/>
|-
|[[Saint George S.C.|Saint George]]||23 October 2020||24 November 2020
|colspan="5"|—
|<ref name="St. George SC coach history"/>
|-
|Maritzburg United||26 November 2020||30 June 2022
{{WDL|59|15|19|25}}
|<ref name="Maritzburg United coaching history"/><ref name="2020–21 season"/>
|-
|[[Moroka Swallows F.C.|Swallows FC]]||15 December 2022||6 March 2023
{{WDL|11|3|2|6}}
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Moroka Swallows » Fixtures & Results 2022/2023 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/moroka-swallows/2023/3/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=8 March 2023}}</ref>
|-
|[[SV Meppen]]||7 March 2023||16 August 2023
{{WDL|16|6|2|8}}
|<ref>{{cite web |title=SV Meppen - Trainer |url=https://www.kicker.de/sv-meppen/team-trainer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308144146/https://www.kicker.de/sv-meppen/team-trainer |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 March 2023 |publisher=Kicker |access-date=8 March 2023}}</ref>
|-
|[[Singida Fountain Gate F.C.|Singida Fountain Gate]]||4 September 2023||19 September 2023
{{WDL|1|1|0|0}}
|<ref name=Singida/>
|-
|[[Cape Town Spurs F.C.|Cape Town Spurs]]||17 November 2023||''present''
{{WDL|20|5|5|10}}
|{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website}}
*{{Sports links}}
*[http://middendorpbook.com// ''Resilience: The Ernst Middendorp Authorised Biography'' official website]

{{South African Premier Division managers}}

{{Navboxes
|title=Ernst Middendorp managerial positions
|list1=
{{Arminia Bielefeld managers}}
{{KFC Uerdingen managers}}
{{VfL Bochum managers}}
{{FC Augsburg managers}}
{{Tractor Sazi F.C. managers}}
{{Rot-Weiss Essen managers}}
{{Anorthosis Famagusta FC managers}}
{{Kaizer Chiefs F.C. managers}}
{{SV Meppen managers}}
{{Cape Town Spurs managers}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Middendorp, Ernst}}
[[Category:German football managers]]
[[Category:German men's footballers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in China]]
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:KFC Uerdingen 05 managers]]
[[Category:VfL Bochum managers]]
[[Category:FC Augsburg managers]]
[[Category:Kaizer Chiefs F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Arminia Bielefeld managers]]
[[Category:Changchun Yatai F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Rot-Weiss Essen managers]]
[[Category:Anorthosis Famagusta FC managers]]
[[Category:Lamontville Golden Arrows F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Saint George S.C. managers]]
[[Category:Durban City F.C. (2024) managers]]
[[Category:FC Gütersloh managers]]
[[Category:Tractor S.C. managers]]
[[Category:Men's association football players not categorized by position]]
[[Category:Accra Hearts of Oak S.C. managers]]
[[Category:Asante Kotoko S.C. managers]]
[[Category:People from Emsland]]
[[Category:Footballers from Lower Saxony]]
[[Category:Bielefeld University alumni]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Ghana]]
[[Category:German expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Ghana]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Iran]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Iran]]
[[Category:Expatriate soccer managers in South Africa]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in South Africa]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in China]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Cyprus]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Bloemfontein Celtic F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Chippa United F.C. managers]]
[[Category:SV Meppen managers]]
[[Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Ethiopia]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Ethiopia]]
[[Category:Ethiopian Premier League managers]]
[[Category:Persian Gulf Pro League managers]]
[[Category:West German men's footballers]]
[[Category:West German football managers]]
[[Category:3. Liga managers]]
[[Category:Bundesliga managers]]
[[Category:2. Bundesliga managers]]
[[Category:Chinese Super League managers]]